HC Slams TN Cops for Closing Complaints Against Ponmudy

COMING down heavily on the Tamil Nadu police for closing all 124 complaints at the preliminary stage itself, filed against former minister and senior DMK leader K Ponmudy for his alleged hate speech against women and Saivite and Vaishnavite denominations, the Madras High Court on Tuesday said the court cannot remain a mute spectator if politicians cross the limits.

- R SIVAKUMAR @ Chennai

Hearing a suo motu case initiated against Ponmudy, Justice P Velmurugan said the contempt case would be kept open and he would "vigilantly watch" what the police was going to do on the matter.

"Where do you derive the powers to close these complaints after preliminary inquiry? If you think you have the right to close the complaints, the court has the rights to proceed on them," the judge said, responding to Advocate General PS Raman's submission that the complaints were closed after preliminary investigation under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).